Development was started in June 1944 by the Uralmash Design Bureau. The vehicle was based on the T-44 chassis and had a conventional configuration, with the front placement of the fighting compartment. In October, People's Commissariat of the Tank Industry considered the SU-122-44 project. In December the design project was ready. However, the SU-100M-2 with the rear placement of the fighting compartment was preferred.